Asia Cup 2023 likely in Pakistan as India to play on neutral venue: report

The Asia Cup 2023, scheduled in September this year, is likely to be played in Pakistan with India playing their matches on another overseas venue.

According to ESPNcricnfo, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are gradually moving towards a compromise after an initial standoff over the hosting of the Asian event.

The news reports claimed that two boards have nearly agreed to host India matches outside Pakistan while the rest of the matches will be played in the country.

The neutral venue for hosting India matches during the tournament is not confirmed yet. However, the UAE, Oman, Sri Lanka and even England are said to be potential contenders. The blockbuster India-Pakistan contests will also be staged on a neutral venue.

Pakistan and India are placed in the same group with a qualifying team. Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan are in another group.

The six-team Asia Cup will be held in a 50-over format this time around. A total of 13 matches will be played in the tournament scheduled in the first half of September.

It may be noted here that the uncertainty around the 2023 Asia Cup began in October last year when the ACC president, and BCCI secretary, Jay Shah refused to send the Indian team to Pakistan and has since been trying to shift the tournament to a neutral venue.

An emergency meeting of the Asian Cricket Council was held in this regard in Bahrain in the last month but failed to reach a breakthrough.

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